NBA weekend betting preview: Post-trade weekend is worth making some plays

It happened! The rumored trade between the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers came to fruition with James Harden and Ben Simmons swapping teams (among others).

Other than the post-trade drama, this is not a great weekend for NBA action, but the aforementioned Nets and 76ers are both on the court on Saturday. Will restructuring improve their chances for an NBA title?  It is probably too early to tell, but let's take a look at some of the best games of the weekend.

Friday, February 11

Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. ET

Kudos to Boston for making the least interesting trade of deadline day. They dealt PJ Dozier and Bol Bol, two players out for the season, to the Magic for a second-round pick in a deal designed to cut some salary. Ironically, those players were acquired from Denver about a week ago in a move that netted the Nuggets Bryn Forbes from San Antonio. All that aside, we do get some star power in this game with Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown of the Celtics. The latter are leading Boston on their best run of the season, six wins in a row and eight of their last nine. Jokic can keep the Nuggets in any contest, but Denver is just a game over .500 on the road this season. Two stars usually trumps one so stay with the hot team.

Take Boston

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET

Minnesota is a legitimate playoff threat this season. Maybe not to advance, but to qualify for the first time since the 2017-2018 season. Chicago actually has a longer playoff drought than that, but the Bulls are looking strong to break that this season too, if they can get healthy. The strength of both these teams is offense, so we should get an entertaining game on Friday night. Minnesota is sixth in scoring and Chicago is seventh. In DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Karl Anthony-Towns and Anthony Edwards we will see four of the top 19 scorers in the league, in a game that is probably the first to 125 points wins. Minnesota does not play much defense and the Bulls can't with all of their best defensive players on the shelf.

Take Minnesota (the Wolves are a great live underdog, look for at least +3)

Saturday, February 12

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers
7:30 p.m. ET

Sorry, Cavs fans, but this has to be more about the 76ers. The trade has netted them Harden and forward Paul Milsap. To the best of my knowledge, Harden is going to play in this game, taking the place in the starting lineup formerly occupied by Seth Curry. (Philly plays on Friday, so maybe Harden plays his first game then.) Cleveland made a deal earlier in the week acquiring wing Caris LeVert, who came off the bench in a win. This is the first time these teams are seeing each other this season, and while Philly has a higher ceiling, I like this spot for the Cavs. They are a strong defensive team and have guys who can actually have a chance at guarding Joel Embiid. They are also more set in how they want to play with LeVert not changing things much. Integrating Harden effectively is going to take some time for Philly.

Take Cleveland

Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat
8 p.m. ET

The other side of the Harden trade was Simmons landing in Brooklyn along with Seth Curry and Andre Drummond. Right now, it is hard to know what Simmons is, or even if he is in shape to play right away. In Curry and Drummond, though, the Nets do get immediate upgrades to the lineup that has been missing Kevin Durant and Joe Harris — and getting slaughtered. I actually kind of like that part of the trade better. Not knowing the status of all the new additions for Saturday it is still easy to fade Brooklyn against the Eastern Conference's toughest team, the Miami Heat. Brooklyn has been a disaster lately, and any benefits of this deal are going to be long-term. Miami is not a team you want to play when you are trying to figure things out. 

Take Miami

Sunday, February 13

Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics
2 p.m. ET

The Hawks are still looking to find that spark that led them to the Eastern Conference finals a year ago. They made their deal early, sending Cam Reddish to the Knicks. Consistency is the challenge for Atlanta. One night they play great and beat the Suns, the best team in the league, but the Hawks are still two games under .500. They might have another run in them, but Boston is in the middle of their best run of the year right now. Their strength on the wing with Tatum and Brown should be enough to get a home win over the Hawks. Atlanta is just 10-16 on the road, and this is not looking like a spot for an upset.

Take Boston